Kota Bharu: The Kelantan government has urged the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) to expedite the repair work on the temporary sheet pile embankment at the Kemubu Pump Station, as agreed in the earlier State Executive Council (MMK) meeting. State Agriculture, Agro-Food and Commodity Industry Committee chairman, Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail, emphasized that addressing the water supply issue to padi fields is contingent upon the completion of these repairs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MMK meeting on March 12 had consented to the proposal for immediate action to reinforce the temporary sheet pile embankment at the Kemubu Pump Station. Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin reiterated the commitment of the state Drainage and Irrigation Department to maintain all pumps in the padi field schemes, ensuring they are in optimal condition and functioning correctly.
This statement was made in response to a question by Abdul Rahman Yunus (PAS-Pasir Tumboh) concerning the measures taken by the state government and KADA to guarantee adequate water supply for farmers during the dry season, during the State Legislative Assembly session at Kota Darulnaim Complex.
In addressing a supplementary question regarding appropriate rice seed varieties for Kelantan’s climate, Tuan Mohd Saripudin noted that four rice varieties developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) are currently cultivated in the state: MR297, MR269, MR220 CL2, and MR315. Notably, 73 percent of Kelantan’s rice planting area uses the MR297 variety, known for its resistance to drought and tungro disease.
He also mentioned MARDI’s introduction of a new variety, MR326, earlier this year, although it has not yet been planted in Kelantan. Additional flood and drought-resistant varieties remain under research and evaluation.
In response to Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani (BN-Nenggiri) regarding the impact of sand dredging for the Sireh Valley development project on the water level of the Kelantan River, Tuan Mohd Saripudin assured that the activity adheres to established guidelines and does not affect pump operations.
He concluded by highlighting last year’s decline in padi yields due to drought and water shortages, expressing hope that the expedited repair work will be completed before the second planting season this year to prevent further impact on rice farmers.